CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns offensive coordinate Kyle Shanahan gushed over Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, whom the Browns are reportedly very high in the NFL draft. But he also really likes Browns veteran Brian Hoyer, who's proven he can win in the NFL.

"I (like) what I've seen of (Manziel) on (ESPN's) SportsCenter,'' Shanahan told 92.3 The Fan's Bull and Fox after his introductory press conference Thursday. "I haven't sat and studied him, but who wouldn't like him? He's fun to watch, he makes plays, and he's as much of a playmaker as I've seen on SportsCenter as anybody.

"I'm going to get started here pretty fast here and actually maybe even this afternoon starting to watch these college guys. We've been sitting here trying to put our staff together for the three days I've been here. (But I'm) trying to mix in watching our own players and I've got to get the college players in quickly because we're going down to (Indianapolis) in a couple of weeks (for the Combine). But I've got to get looking at the quarterbacks first and foremost.

Shanahan acknowledged that studying Johnny Football will be one of his top priorities. The Browns have the No. 4 and No. 26 picks in the first round, and are poised to draft a quarterback in the first round if they identify a franchise quarterback in the bunch.

"I'll (start) at the top of the draft and I know (Manziel's) up there,'' Shanahan said. "Our personnel department brings me a list and I've enjoyed what I've seen on SportsCenter, so I can't wait to see the coaches' copy.''

Asked if he thinks Manziel's skills, including elusive running ability, will translate to the NFL, Shanahan -- who coached dual-threat Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III in his first two seasons -- said, "of course. When you have that much success in college, you're not going against some bad players. When you're that big of a playmaker, you're going to be able to make some plays in the NFL too.''

He said Manziel's lack of height -- he's listed at 6-1 but might be closer to 6-0 -- won't be a deterrent. He cited the success of shorter quarterbacks Drew Brees (6-0) of the Saints and Russell Wilson (5-11) of the Seahawks, who have both won Super Bowls.

"Everybody wants the prototypical receiver, the prototypical quarterback, the prototypical tackle, but no matter what you say, there's no absolute,'' he said. "People have succeeded at every height and speed, everybody's done it. Russell just adds another guy to prove those people who speak in absolutes wrong just like Drew Brees has. You've got to look at what a guy is. You never say this guy can't do it because of this.''

He said he'll have input in evaluating the rookie quarterbacks, but that management will make the decision.

"And I think they're going to make the right one,'' he said. "We're going to look at every single option, we're going to take everything into account, we're going to study the heck out of every single option possible and you don't just take a guy early in the draft because you need a quarterback. It can really set you back if you miss on one. You have to make sure the decision you make is the right decision. You want to make sure that guy is a franchise quarterback, and if he's not, you might have to go in a different direction.''

Shanahan also had high praise for Hoyer, whom he's studied since Hoyer came out of Michigan State in 2009 and signed with New England as an undrafted free agent.

"I think (fans) should be excited, because Brian has shown reasons to be excited,'' Shanahan said. "The jury's still out on what his ceiling is. If you aren't that franchise quarterback, it's a matter of time before they're trying to replace you, and you don't really know whether Brian's capable of that or not.

"He's got to get more playing time. Obviously there's not enough NFL tape to decide that, but what he has shown is that you can win with him. I understand why the Cleveland fans are excited about him. I've always liked him coming out of school and I've liked him every year he's been up for free agency. I look forward to getting a chance to know him more, getting a chance to work with him and we'll see how good he is.''

Follow Us

cleveland.com is powered by Plain Dealer Publishing Co. and Northeast Ohio Media Group. All rights reserved (About Us).The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Northeast Ohio Media Group LLC.